WildHBcommunity: Minnesota Wild GM Fletcher Could Swing for Fences at Draft to Add Offense
It could very well prove to be the case that instead of pursuing 30 year old winger Thomas Vanek this summer, Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher swings for the fences at the draft to address adding a bona fide NHL goal scorer. The three goal scorers that come to mind as being available are Bobby Ryan, Evander Kane, and Jeff Skinner.
I caution Wild fans though the reason I think Vanek makes so much sense for the Wild is his ties to the area and that his acquisition would not cost any return of young players or draft assets to bring into the fold. In trying to diagnose what Fletcher will do to improve this clubs scoring and assuming Vanek will sign elsewhere, the two options I see as reasonable are as follows:
1. Standing pat with the young players and supplementing with bottom of the roster vets on one year deals.
2. Swing for the fences by adding a player with a proven track record of goal scoring at the NHL level while giving in return a combination of our young players and picks.
The gift and curse of amassing so much top tier NHL potential young talent to your organization is the inevitable judgment calls that must be made when roster spots and roles become solidified. With veterans Mikko Koivu, Zach Parise, and Jason Pominville all holding spots in the Top 6 forwards it leaves a running competition between the young players to earn their playing time.
At current Fletcher has collected a very high end talented group of young forwards and defensemen that has graduated to the NHL. The reality is that not all of them will be in the lineup for the Wild on a game to game basis and there exists a slim chance they can find a way to sign them all on long term contracts.
This offseason three of the young forwards considered to be NHL caliber talents and having spent time with the NHL club last season are Nino Niederreiter, Jason Zucker, and Justin Fontaine will all be restricted free agents. All of these players have flashed the ability to contribute while playing in a top 6 role but each has found themselves on the outside looking in once the Wild was completely healthy.
Also this offseason Jon Blum, Tyler Cuma, and Darcy Kuemper are restricted free agents while next season the RFA group includes Mikael Granlund, Charlie Coyle, Erik Haula, Jonas Brodin, Marco Scandella, Christian Folin, Michael Keranen, Brett Bulmer, and Johan Gustafsson. That is large group of player to evaluate and project by Fletcher and his front office group in concert with head coach Mike Yeo and his coaching staff.
The solution could very well become a swing for the fences by Fletcher on draft day with a swap of young players and picks for a proven NHL scorer at the 2014 NHL draft in Philadelphia June 27th-28th. I have indentified three wingers that could be available in the trade market and would immediately upgrade the Wild’s scoring offense. Each of these players would require a hefty return though of a player or two we LOVE so keep that in mind.
Bobby Ryan
5yr$25Mil $5.1CapHit Free agent 2015-16
The tie to Bobby Ryan comes from him being selected 2nd overall by Anaheim in the 2005 NHL draft while Fletcher was a member of the Ducks front office. Through a Brian Burke rant regarding Ryan's omission for the Team USA olympic roster it came to light that his selection was due in large part because Fletcher was convinced he would become a star.
Fletcher has shown a propensity to gravitate towards the familiar and if he gets an opportunity to bet on Ryan again I think he would do so without flinching. Ottawa finds itself in a weird place because their captain Jason Spezza has asked for and will obliged a trade out of town. The Senators franchise is experiencing a down period marked with uncertainty. The Senators are trying to limit their payroll expenses currently and they could flip Ryan for young talented cheap asset.
Fletcher is one of the best in the NHL at taking advantage of other personnel men when they are vulnerable and that could play out with with GM Brian Murray and the Senators. Surely the return on Ryan who will be an unrestricted free agent after this coming season would have to be convincing for a deal to be had at the 2014 NHL Draft but Murray might make a move if Ryan intends to hit free agency rather then re-sign.
Adding Ryan would be an immediate upgrade for the Wild's offense and the culture here in the State of Hockey would reinforce the energy and effort in his game. Ryan would find himself slotted on a line with complimentary players. Ryan is a big fast goal scorer which is exactly what this team need to take the next step.
Evander Kane
6yr$31Mil $5.25CapHit Free agent 2018-19
I think Evander Kane is a player that will flourish in his next stop in the NHL despite all the negativity associated with him right now. I think Wild fans view Kane as a trouble maker or malcontent but his talent is enticing and the culture here in Minnesota could be just what the doctor ordered for the speedy sniper.
I doubt the Jets would want trade Kane just hours across the border within the division but the right return could cause them to roll the dice. Kane has been problematic for the Jets and with each missed opportunity and bit of strife in their relationship it becomes more apparent a divorce is in the cards.
Kane is definitely a dynamic talent and personality but his addition to the Wild would be an immediate upgrade to the offense and aggressiveness. Kane has break away speed and a goal scorer mentality. Kane also has a rugged nature to his play and will back check and lay the wood on opponents. Kane is fiery in his demeanor and Wild fans would fall in love with the emotion he plays with on a nightly basis.
Jeff Skinner
6yr$34Mil $5.75Caphit Free agent 2019-20
In Jeff Skinner the Wild would be adding a pure goal scorer who is a threat to light the lamp every shift. This winger has the offensive tools that cause you to excuse his lack of a 200 foot effort. Skinner has been criticized for floating and being uninterested in the defensive zone. If a boost in goal scoring in on the agenda though Skinner is the right player to add and with him being so young he could develop the rest of his game here in Minnesota.
Skinner has a scorer mentality and pedigree which has led him to high end production at level of hockey he has played to this point. Skinner was selected #7 overall in the 2010 NHL draft 2 picks before Granlund was selected by the Wild and 2 pick after the Islanders selected Niederreiter. Skinner's offensive tools have translated to the NHL but the Hurricanes look to be on the verge of a shakeup with Ron Francis taking over.
Skinner is signed to a long term extremely reasonable deal but there is no guarantee he becomes a more well rounded player. If Skinner were to come to the Wild he would need to work on his checking and defensive abilities to fit into Yeo's system which might be a deal breaker. Ultimately Skinner is still so young maybe Carolina avoids making him available but of the player I could see the Wild giving significant asset in trade, Skinner had the upside and cap friendly contract Fletcher would desire.
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Just My Take,
Tony Dean
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